Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Legal News

Yarl’s Wood detainees treated for self-harming injuries “every week”Yarl’s Wood detainees treated for self-harming injuries “every week” (6 July 2015)

Date: 06/07/2015
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Yarl’s Wood detainees treated for self-harming injuries “every week”Yarl’s Wood detainees treated for self-harming injuries “every week”

New figures from the Homes Office show that inmates at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Detention Centre have been treated for self-harming every week and more than once a week in the last two years.

In 2014, there were 61 incidents of self-harming at Yarl’s Wood which required medical attention, compared with 74 cases in 2103.

Campaigners have repeatedly called for Yarl’s Wood to be closed and vulnerable women held there released.

The centre has been the focus of an inquiry into allegations of sexual relationships between female detainees and prison guards, as well as sexual abuse of female detainees by male guards, some of whom have been suspended over the allegations.

In March, prison security service Serco also suspended two members of staff, after a Channel 4 News investigation into standards of care at the centre recorded one officer saying, “Let them slash their wrists” when referring to detainees at Yarl’s Wood – while other guards referred to detainees as “animals”.

Charity Medical Justice sends volunteer doctors to Yarl’s Wood to treat immigration detainees, as well as campaigning for the release of vulnerable detainees.

The charity described the Home Office figures as “worrying”.

Co-ordinator at Medical Justice, Emma Ginn, said:

“These worrying statistics give an indication of how harmful indefinite immigration detention can be.

“Our volunteer doctors visit immigration detainees and have seen hundreds of cases of seriously inadequate healthcare.

“In many cases, immigration detention exacerbates existing medical conditions – and in some cases, has been the cause of mental illness.

“There have been a number of fatalities – including self-inflicted deaths –
and we fear that with no improvement in conditions, there could be more."

The Conservative MP for Bedford – where Yarl’s Wood is located – has said he wants the Home Office to consider whether vulnerable asylum seekers who claim to have been tortured or abused should be housed in detention centres, even if they cannot prove their allegations.

Richard Fuller MP said:

“It is fundamentally about whether places of detention are resulting in more instances of self-harm – and whether there are alternatives that could be just as effective for removals, but lead to less self-harm instances.

“Just because you cannot prove that you were a victim of torture or rape doesn't mean it did not happen.

“This is an issue I would strongly urge the Home Office to look at.”

Duncan Lewis Immigration Solicitors

Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors can advise on a wide range of immigration matters, including detainees’ rights while held in custody, illegal entry to the UK, visa overstays and asylum applications and appeals.

Duncan Lewis is also able to advise on any matters relating to the fast-track detention process, which has now been abolished.

Duncan Lewis is a leading Legal Aid immigration lawyer.

For expert legal advice on all UK immigration matters, call Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors on 020 7923 4020.

For urgent 24/7 advice on UK immigration law and detention, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is Spencer House, 29 Grove Hill Road, Harrow, HA1 3BN. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.